SAN Secures Companion Resolutions from U.S. Congress Recognizing July 10th as “Collector Car Appreciation Day” The U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 650 (S. Res. 650) at the request of the SEMA Action Network (SAN) recognizing July 10, 2020 as “Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD).” A similar resolution was introduced in the U.S. House…
Car building has experienced a wide variety of engine combinations and changes in design in the past few decades. The choices between big blocks, small blocks, Flathead, Cleveland, Windsor, Y blocks, FE, MEL,… it can be a little overwhelming sometimes, but typically we know what we like and will go with what we know.. Regardless…
Car building has experienced a wide variety of engine combinations and changes in design in the past few decades. The choices between big blocks, small blocks, LS, LT… it can be a little overwhelming sometimes, but typically we know what we like and will go with what we know.. Regardless of which you choose, it’s…
TREMEC Distributor Spotlight – Modern Driveline
The second-generation Ford Mustang, marketed as the Ford Mustang II, is a two- or three-door, four-passenger, front-engine/rear-drive pony car manufactured and marketed by Ford from 1973 to 1978. Introduced in September 1973 for the model year 1974, the Mustang II arrived roughly coincident with the oil embargo of 1973 and subsequent fuel shortages.[3] It arrived 490 pounds lighter and almost 19 inches…
………………… The time has come… You’re tired of cruising along with your engine screaming. Gas gauge falling. The clunky shifts of an ancient transmission. Or worse, an automatic shifting the gears for you. The old-school cool of a manual transmission with the modern capabilities of a new TREMEC sounds great, but you’re not sure…
The TR-3550 five-speed overdrive transmission was developed to provide great torque capacity and is ideal for specialty sports cars equipped with high torque engines. The 3550 was both a product and a product line. The product line encompassed the 3550 and TKO models. Each model had two versions, one being a 0.68 overdrive and the…
The TR-3650 five-speed overdrive transmission was developed using state-of-the-art technology and is designed for a wide range of cars and compact utility vehicles. Currently, the TREMEC TR-3650 is used in the Ford Mustang GT and the BA Falcon. It was first introduced in 2001 as a replacement for the T-45 five speed. Produced from 2001-2004…
Prevent Unnecessary Power Loss and Wear & Tear With accurate installation Here’s something most home garage enthusiasts never think about — proper bellhousing alignment and indexing. Admit it — have you ever performed a bellhousing alignment? Very few of us have or know anything about this subject. We address this issue at Modern Driveline because…
It’s time to put all the confusion, myths, hearsay, and battles of the Ford 6 cylinder bell housings, flywheels and clutches to bed once and for all. For years people have wondered what they have, what do I need, where can I get it, how come… (fill in the blank). If you have one of…
Need help determining which Ford In-line 6 you have? This article takes away the guess-work when it comes to getting the right components for the flywheel, clutch and starter by showing you the back of the block and what to look for. This article works with our “6 Cylinder Bell Housings” article. The Ford…
Put a “better” overdrive transmission behind your Ford Flathead. Flathead overdrive begins with the adapter. The MDL Flathead bell adapter, made as a direct fit for the 59 series blocks, while also mating to the intermediate ring on the 8 series flatheads, allows you to install a “better” transmission than an S-10 take-out. Flathead engines…
Installing a five-speed transmission into a classic muscle car could not be any easier these days. Not only is it easy but there are numerous choices to be had. Transmission Choices Many of the five-speed transmissions found in late model Fords (the late model being those produced in the past 35 years) can be used…
When the car is equipped with a 3 or 4-speed manual transmission, the job is a lot easier than converting from an automatic. There are two ways to install a T-5 transmission for a stick equipped car. Use the original bell One way is to use the original bell housing and install an adapter…
Our TREMEC TKO small-block conversions are much like the T5 swap. We start with a cable operated 1995 351w Mustang Cobra R model bellhousing. This same bell housing or scatter shield can be used behind any six-bolt 289/302/351 block. The Modern Driveline clutch cable kit or hydraulic kit allows the stock early Mustang, Cougar and…
Installing a TREMEC T-5 in place of an automatic, behind a small block Ford is relatively straight forward. Using many of the same components and concepts as used in Fox body Mustangs in the ’80s and ’90s simplifies the process. Bell housing Start by using a TREMEC T-5 bell housing assembly from a 1984-93…
First, remove the original Automatic brake pedal pad & trim ring Use the new manual brake pedal pad as a template to measure the original pedal for alteration. After which you may want to spread some paper or cardboard on the floor area to catch metal filings. Trim along the line made for sizing this…
Car building has experienced a wide variety of engine combinations and changes in design in the past few decades. The choices between big blocks, small blocks, LS, LT, Flathead, Cleveland, Windsor, Y blocks, FE, MEL, Hemi, Wedge… it can be a little overwhelming sometimes, but typically we know what we like and will go…
Saturday 28th April 1956 64 years ago The Skyliner had a complex mechanism that folded the front of the roof and retracted it under the rear decklid. It had three roof drive motors driving four lift jacks, four door-lock motors, ten solenoids, four locking mechanisms for the roof, and a total of 610 ft (185.9…
Ford has created an all-electric Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 that destroys a quarter-mile in the “low 8-second range” at more than 170 mph, the company revealed Thursday. This is not a car that any Joe can buy. This is a one-off demonstration prototype designed to prove out Ford’s electric innovation. The dragster is built for Ford…
ALL ABOUT THE FIRST MUSTANG Every great story has a memorable beginning, and the genesis of the Ford Mustang is no exception. One of the most popular and longest-running automobiles in the United States, the Mustang has been a global phenomenon since it rolled off the assembly line for the first time in the…
Bill Armstrong’s TREMEC-Equipped 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 A regular feature on the TREMEC blog is a spotlight on the people behind the wheel of #TREMECequipped vehicles. We share stories about their vehicle and why they enjoy shifting gears for themselves and working the third pedal. This month’s customer spotlight is on Bill Armstrong and his…
MEET THE BOSS The Boss 429 is recognized as being among some of the rarest and highly valued muscle cars to date. In total there were 1359 original Boss 429s made. The origin of the Boss 429 was to fulfill Ford’s need to homologate the 429 semi-hemispherical engine for NASCAR racing. Ford was seeking to develop an engine…
Below is a series of short 1 minute videos we are presenting to give our customers a little detail of the operation alignment & clearances they should expect when installing these products. Thank you for watching. We hope this helps and remember if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us we have engineers…
A Short History and Evolution of the Flathead V8, and Making It Modern Back in 1932, Henry Ford introduced the 221 cubic inch Flathead engine producing 65 HP. And by 1935 HP was increased to 85 HP. Those engines were produced from 1932 to 1938 and were commonly known as “21 stud engines”, due to…
An article about troubleshooting fitting application The contemporary racer/builder can reach for an almost limitless selection of AN fitting variations to accommodate any plumbing situation, and with a fair amount of color and coating choices. Some companies even offer a complete line of raw fittings allowing the user to anodize them to a custom color…
400 and 351M 400 By 1970 the 390 V8 FE engine was becoming outdated. With pending emission requirements, a more modern replacement was needed. Although the big-block 385 family was used to replace the larger displacement 428 V8 FE engine, this engine family had nothing comparable in size to the 390 V8. For the 1971 model year, Ford introduced the…
MDL is trying to keep you informed with the latest developments as it pertains to all of us Car Guys Racing news and listed below that are Carshow updates as they come in. Check the post date for the latest news. RACING POSTED 06/26/2020 Bonneville Speed Week gets green light for 2020 The Southern…
—————————————————————————– 5 & 6 SPEED CONVERSION SPECIALISTS —————————————————————————- —————————————————————————————————– DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS MDL is still operating with 100% efficiency. Our routine business hours ( Monday-Friday 8am – 5pm MT ) ——————————————————————————————————— MDL CUSTOMER ASSURANCE: Our focus is to ensure we meet customer expectations while doing our part to keep you and…
1971-73 Ford Mustang Lee Iacocca, who introduced the Mustang on April 17th, 1964 just 7 years later was unhappy with the car and what had happened to the original idea of the Mustang. Which was the Mustang created the “pony car“ class of American muscle cars, distinguished as affordable sporty coupes with long hoods and short rear…
THE 1966 SHELBY GT350H The Shelby GT350H was a special promotion, dreamed up between Ford, Carroll Shelby, and Hertz rent a car. It’s a little absurd that in 1966 you could rent a powerful muscle car, and the Shelby GT350H was powerful. Each associated company had their own reasons for agreeing to participate in this.…
Modern DriveLine is excited to be attending The 2020 NSRA Hot-Rod Nationals. With that in mind due to recent trends in the industry, we would like to remind our customers, this show is subject to cancellation by the promoters due to concerns regarding the Covid-19 Coronavirus. NSRA Nationals 2020 August 6 – August 9 Kentucky Exposition Center…
Modern DriveLine is excited to be attending The Des Moines Heartland Nationals. With that in mind due to recent trends in the industry, we would like to remind our customers, this show is subject to cancellation by the promoters due to concerns regarding the Covid-19 Coronavirus. 29th Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals presented by BASF July…
Modern DriveLine is excited to be attending The First Ever – Salt Lake Nationals. With that in mind due to recent trends in the industry, we would like to remind our customers this show is subject to cancellation by the promoters due to concerns regarding the Covid-19 Coronavirus. 1st RaceDeck Salt Lake Nationals May 15…
1967 Camaro Convertible Holley Sniper EFI Tremec TKO 5-Speed Feature V8 Speed & Resto Shop V8TV
WHAT IS THE MUSTANG COBRA II? In a way, perhaps no one variant illustrates the perceived missteps of the second generation “Mustang II” than the Cobra II. Produced for three years between 1976 and 1978, the Cobra II offered little of substance over the stock pony cars. That being said, the Cobra II sports a…
SHOP FORDSHOP CHEVYSHOP MOPAR STREET KING SMALL STREET KING LARGE STREET KING METRIC Just because you change your clutch, doesn’t mean you have to change the way you drive. Enjoyable Driving Experience The Street King clutch…
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REMOVE CURRENT & INSTALL NEW MDL Tail Housing MD-510-1000 & -1001 Here are the simple steps: Transmission out of vehicle and oil drained. With a 13mm socket – remove the shifter. use a 5/32 punch – drive out the roll pin holding the offset block to the rail. with a…
When a TKO transmission is shipped there are a few things that can happen… Before trying to diagnose a potential problem… remove the shipping plug from the rear of the transmission. Remove the shipping plug by pulling with pliers. Pull a little on one side, then the other. Be careful not to accidentally grab the…
THE NEW GM F-BODY 6-SPEED 1982-2002 TREMEC releases the Magnum-F™ 6-speed for fourth-generation Camaros and Firebirds. Consider Your Old F-Car T-56 Obsolete! The long-awaited and highly-anticipated F-car-specific version of TREMEC’s popular Magnum 6-speed has finally arrived! Designed to replace T-56 transmissions in 1998-2002 GM F-bodies, the Magnum-F leverages TREMEC’s pervasive TR-6060/Magnum architecture in order to provide…
Correct Procedure for Clutch Lever Installation P/N MD-401-2002 / MD-401-2003 & MD-406-1008 Install the Fork onto the fulcrum stud. Apply high-pressure wheel bearing grease to both the ball-end of the stud and the recess pocket of the fork. Do not allow the tangs to extend to the side. The tangs MUST GO UNDER the ball-end…
As appetizer …. Before you will see tomorrow the full length 2019 Peking to Paris film on the Endurance Rally Association – ERA Facebook page, we're glad to present you this appetizer. A compilation on how our 9 brave Belgian teams managed to get to Paris.Take your biggest screen, your best audio system, a cold…
MD-6179F100-CC INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
There are certain inspections and steps you want to take before installing a new or different transmission in your car or truck that will assure a “one-time” installation. Doing these steps only take a few minutes and will save you headaches and head scratchin’ down the road. We recommend performing each check before trying to…
Modern Driveline brings your 1979-93 Mustang into the 21st Century with crispy T-56 Magnum smoothness and performance When Ford added a five-speed to the Mustang’s transmission line-up in 1983, it seemed way out there for those of us old enough to remember when even four-speeds were a fresh mainstream idea from Detroit. In time, five-speeds…
Here’s How… Install A 1971-73 Mustang/Cougar Five-Speed At Modern Driveline, we’re well known for great classic Mustang and Cougar five-speed swap packages where all you need is the desire, energy, and a weekend to get the job done. You can go from straight drive automatic or stick to efficient overdrive in the time it would…
Here’s How… 1979-93 Fox Mustang Hydraulic Clutch Install in a weekend At Modern Driveline it has always been our goal to make the going easier, more fun, and certainly efficient for special interest car enthusiasts around the world. Our business foundation has long been Ford’s legendary and timeless Mustang. And that’s because our core passion…
Here’s How… To Get A Light Clutch Pedal With Modern Driveline’s LF Series Hydraulic Clutch System Modern Driveline’s LF Series Hydraulic Clutch Kits for classic cars make light work of a heavy pedal by letting fluid do the hard work mechanical Z-bar clutch systems have been doing for generations. Modern Driveline has taken the…
Modern Driveline shows you how to choose the right clutch Although clutch and flywheel selection seems like black magic science, it really is straightforward. When the right choices are made you get an unbeatable clutch and flywheel combo that will serve you well for years to come. In the long run, you will save…
It is challenging for us at Modern Driveline to understand the engineering logic behind the Getrag MT-82 six-speed transmission in the 2005-16 Mustang (V-6) and Mustang GT (V-8). The factory installed MT-82 employs a semi-remote shifter attached to the transmission tunnel tied to the transmission via a shifter rail that, at best, delivers sloppy shift…
Modern Driveline 1955-1957 Chevy Tri 5 Modern Driveline’s approach to the Tri 5 using a TKO five speed or T56 six speed transmission conversion from a 3 or 4 speed manual transmission or automatic transmission is quite simple. When converting from a manual transmission, the original Chevy bell housing can be reused along with the…
Modern Driveline C10 Truck Conversions Modern Driveline’s approach to the C10 Truck using a TKO 5 speed transmission conversion from a 3 or 4 speed manual transmission is quite simple. In most cases, the original Chevy bell housing can be reused along with the 168 tooth 11” clutch pattern or 153 tooth 10.5” clutch pattern…
Modern Driveline Ford F Series Truck Conversions Modern Drivelines has several approaches for 5 and 6 speed transmission conversions for your Ford F Series Truck. Modern Driveline can provide you with the parts needed to install one of our Tremec transmissions behind Straight Six, 289, 302 351w, 351c all FEs, 385 series and Coyote engines.…
Preload Bearing Pre-load is defined as: Internal stress to a bearing through application of negative clearance is known as bearing pre-loading. What is mean when you hear: No Bearing Pre-load Allowed There is no clearance and no negative clearance of an installed bearing surface. This does not include any intended spring pressure from a…
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Our TKO 5-Speed Conversion Kit was featured on ‘All Girls Garage’ A 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass has a few issues with leaks and power loss. The crew tracks down the problems, and then converts the transmission from automatic to manual so the owner can drive a classic as it was meant to be enjoyed. Modern DriveLine…
Just a small collection of stuff we saw, stuff we were involved in and show stuff we liked.
https://www.moderndriveline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/CDC-GT500-sound-final.mp4 Unveiled at SEMA 2019 Featuring an MDL conversion package. Get started on yours today.
We were a first time exhibitor at SEMA 2019. Although we had attended the show before we have never had our own booth until this year. Hard work & time we have invested over the last year was well worth it as we were chosen as recipient of the SEMA ‘ Best New Engineered Product…
WATCH VIDEO Cick to watch Video and see what Hemmings wanted to know
WATCH VIDEO This video walks you through the steps to installing the clutch pedal into a 1971 to 1973 Mustang using the bearing kit for proper pedal alignment. Should you have any questions contact us… 208-453-9800
Transmission in need of Repair? We have parts and know-how to rebuild and repair Borg Warner / TREMEC T-5, T-45, T-56, TREMEC 3550/3550-II, TKO/TKO-II, TKO500 and TKO600 and T56’s. Rebuild Services Modern Driveline provides the best quality in rebuild services and parts. We rebuild and repair Borg Warner T5, T45, T56, TREMEC 3550’s, and TKO’s. A…
IT’S HERE… The C-3 Corvette hydraulic conversion kit you’ve been waiting for. From the SEMA award winning team that brought you the SN95 Mustang Hydraulics. READ MORE
MD-910-0106 C-3 Corvette 68-81 Hydraulic Clutch Master Cylinder Installation Instructions
Now who has the last laugh This 1968 Ford Bronco wagon was left for Jay Leno as a joke, arranged by fellow late-night TV host Craig Ferguson to be parked in Leno’s spot on the eve of his last taping. Ferguson was unaware of the iconic status of the Bronco – and had no idea…
General Boot HURST #114 4580, 114 7336, 114 8429, 114 7494, 114 0010 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FORM 159 8557 REV00 05/14 1. Remove knob. Slip boot over stick and down to floor. Use chalk to trace the outline of the boot on to the carpet. 2. Remove the boot and place the chrome-plated retainer plate exactly…
“First, let me say thank you one more time: your help and frank, honest answers were immensely helpful. It was obvious from the start that you were more concerned with getting me the appropriate equipment than maximizing your profit. Being able to get everything from one source and then to call you with questions was…
Hyd Clutch Master Kit, ’57-’72 F Series Truck LF Series Type 2 Modern DriveLine’s ‘Light Foot’ series Hydraulic Master cylinder clutch cylinder kit uses the stock clutch pedal. Engineered to use the factory full swing of the pedal, for maximum leverage, it provides a light pedal effort and full control of the clutch, this translates to…
SHOP FORDSHOP CHEVY . MDL is Proud to carry the new range of TILTON ST-246 Twin Disc Clutches for the high-performance street market. ST-246 Clutch Kits…. Racing Technology applied to the Street. Since 1972, Tilton Engineering has been the leading supplier of small diameter racing clutches. Tilton racing clutches are world renowned for their…
Breaking News: Nov. 4, 2019 Modern Driveline’s SN95 Hydraulic Master selected as the Best Engineered Product at SEMA 2019! Attention 1994-2004 Mustang owners Tired of burning your clutch cable? Have you had to replace your cable because it’s worn out? Is that heavy pedal just too much, want it to feel more like a…
SEMA PDF BOOTH# 50323 Modern DriveLine is proud to announce especially for SEMA 2019 We’re already gearing up for Sema 2020 New Product Showcase: Featuring Our ‘Newly Released’ …
MDL Bleeder Kit STEP by STEP instructions on how to use our one-man bleeder kit. This one-person bleeder kit serves as the primary way to bleed your hydraulic system. This kit will not work with the single-line OE Ford HRB/CSC. This kit works with all Modern Driveline supplied reservoirs and master cylinders. Read…
BUSHING TECH The LINK above is a pdf. version of STEP by STEP installation instructions for the clutch pedal roller bearing kit we supply. This kit replaces stock Ford plastic bushings that can wear out in as quick as one year. This is a very simple repair and upgrade, once you have removed the pedal…
TECH NEWS We have learned that the units which are advertised as an 8” booster diameter but have an extending lip, which in turn will make it larger than 8” WILL cause interference and will not allow for proper mounting of our MDL-Clutch master cylinder. The unit below does not look like a stock ‘Bendix’…
We were Glad to see you all looking forward to next year Modern Driveline will be in Las Vegas at this years SEMA show. MDL will be exhibiting, for the first time, with Gateway Classic Mustang with Ford Out Front, located outside the convention center in the front (Silver Lot#2 booth 61023). Modern Driveline has…
SEMA 2010 This year Modern Driveline has introduced and perfected many new products and has expanded its markets. As part of these endeavors several customers have built specialty vehicles which will be on display at SEMA and other shows through the coming year. Here is a sampling of the cars and the companies who built…
Bob Ream was inspired to build a nostalgic racer modernized with a 427 aluminum Dart block, and TREMEC T56 Magnum 6-speed transmission, among other changes. Bob knows something about vintage cars and modernization. He owns Imagine Injection, Inc. in Glendale, AZ, building Electronic Fuel Injection systems with the look of Weber carburetors of yesterday. You will…
“Cars Modern Driveline is a part of.” Good morning Bruce, Just wanted to let you know that I finally got to drive the AC…..The gearing feels great, the clutch and shifting are superb!!! Thanks for all your help on this… I love that T5! I’m getting a *huge* increase in miles-per-gallon, due largely to the…
Two projects for SEMA 2015. A 1963 Corvette and a 1968 Mustang. Both equipped with Modern Driveline Transmissions. Click to see 1967 Mustang Kits Click to see 1963 Corvette Kits …
The following pictorial highlights the build of a 1933 American Speed Body built onto a Shadow Rods Chassis with a Flathead power plant followed by a MDL Front Shift T5 1933 Rod Build Enthusiasts Who Are Also Engineers This is why you do business with Modern Driveline. We are not a large company with huge…
The following pictorial highlights Bill’s 1966 Mustang. Bill wrote “Thought I would send a couple of pictures of the car. With the great weather this winter in Oregon I’ve been able to put about 900 miles on it so far. I would like to thank you for the help and the fast shipping. 66 GT…
The following pictorial highlights Jim’s 2013 Mustang. Jim contacted us not long after buying this 2013 Mustang GT. Stock with a MT-82 transmission and stock 5.0L, Jim knew that it would not live up to his expectations of spirited street and Road Course driving. To deliver the power generated by the Roush Stage 3 kit…
David shows off his 1973 Mach 1. David, from Trenton Michigan, works as a Engineer for Ford. In his off hours he has restored this 1973 Mustang Mach 1. In November 2016 he is taking the car back to its original home in Pennsylvania to surprise the previous owner, John, with the beauty of the restoration. …
Who says you have to park your classic muscle in the garage in the winter? Our customers enjoy their classic cars any time of year. Who says you have to park your classic muscle in the garage in the winter? Our customers enjoy their classic cars any time of year. Enthusiasts Who Are Also Engineers…
The T-5 five-speed transmission was developed for a broad range of vehicle applications from passenger car to compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) requirements. The TREMEC T-5 has been used on various passenger car and light truck applications. It’s largest application was the Mustang GT. Currently, it is sold to the aftermarket for modernizing classic vehicles. Features &…
The T-45 five-speed overdrive transmission was developed primarily for high-performance cars with relatively high-engine torque requirements but is adaptable to other light-duty applications such as sport utility light trucks. Product Run 1996 – Feb 2001 Ford 4.6L Mustang The Borg Warner T-45 was introduced in 1996 when the Ford 4.6L Modular motor was released. These…
TREMEC TR3550 5 Speed overdrive transmission was developed to provide great torque capacity and is ideal for specialty sports cars equipped with high torque engines. The TREMEC TR3550 5 Speed was both a product and a product line. The product line encompassed the 3550 and TKO models. Each model had two versions, One being…
The TR-3650 five-speed overdrive transmission was developed using state-of-the-art technology and is designed for a wide range of cars and compact utility vehicles. Currently, the TREMEC TR-3650 is used in the Ford Mustang GT and the BA Falcon. It was first introduced in 2001 as a replacement for the T-45 five speed. Produced from 2001-2004…
World-Class T5 Not all Borg Warner/TREMEC T5’s are the same. T5 Service Manual LINK The first T5 five speeds were introduced to market in 1980, in all things, an AMC Spirit/Concord. In 1983, T5’s were introduced to Fox body Mustangs and continued to be used in V-6 Mustangs until 2010. The T5 is…
Tremec’s New T-56 Magnum Is Ready To Make Stronger, Smoother Music In Your ‘Stang Dale Amy September 1, 2009 In the great pecking order of Mustang manual transmissions, six-speed gearboxes such as those factory installed in ’03-’04 Cobras and current GT500s clearly rule the roost. While most of us had to get by with only…
If you are rebuilding your transmission look below for the service manual which may guide you to a succesful outcome. Service details for the T-5, TKO, and T-56 transmissions are provided below in pdf form. Download and print them to help guide you through the process of rebuilding and repair of your transmission. If you…
Out Of The Relative Quiet Of Oregon’s Rogue Valley Comes The Undeniable Roar Of Brute Ford Power Jim Smart June 1, 2007 Medford, Oregon, hides in plain sight along Interstate 5, just north of the California border. This largely agricultural community is on the beaten path, yet far enough off of it that the masses…
Written by Diego Rosenberg on June 19, 2013 Readers of Hot Rod should be familiar with Pure Vision Performance’s reputation for top-notch workmanship and performance. In fact, in our December, 2012 issue, we featured their Road Bee. But what can you expect next from the folks due northwest from Los Angeles? Come November at SEMA 2013, Pure Vision will unveil their first…
Written by Brandan Gillogly on November 5, 2013 Steve Strope, owner of Pure Vision, has made a habit of debuting an amazing build at the annual SEMA show. Last year was the racy Martini Mustang that featured a rare Ford Indy OHC V8. For SEMA 2013, he moved from a stripped race car to a luxury grand touring car in…
Ed Schmidt Never Expected To Keep His 1967 Ford Mustang GT Fastback For 40 Years Donald Farr Former Editor, Mustang Monthly January 10, 2011 Lonny Childress pulled over, set the parking brake, and announced, “Now you drive.” I was visiting Gateway Classic Mustang to check out their new vintage Mustang suspension system (see “Gateway to…
Carla Coleman’s Father Bought This ’65 Fastback Brand-New. She And Husband Jerry Have Rebuilt It Into A Modern Cruiser Donald Farr Former Editor, Mustang Monthly June 1, 2010 Photos By: Jerry Heasley In November 1964, Charles Modesitt placed an order for a Rangoon Red ’65 Mustang fastback. While most buyers chose the new fastback body style…
Tremec’s New Magnum Six-Speed Will Separate Your Classic Ford From The Rest Of The Herd Dale Amy July 16, 2010 Tech | Transmission Upgrade One need not possess the mathematical skills of Einstein to grasp the obvious advantages of a six-speed gearbox over any old-school three- or four-speed box. With a deep overdrive in Sixth…
A Mustang Coupe That Really Hauls Joe Greeves February 4, 2014 Do you know the difference between a pickup truck and an Ute? Most enthusiasts think that Ute is just an Australian term for a pickup truck, but it’s more than that. Henry Ford debuted the first factory-produced pickup truck in 1925, a Model T…
Clutch Need A Crutch? Jim Smart January 19, 2016 If you’ve been driving a classic Mustang with a manual transmission for a while you probably understand this one. The original factory clutch Z-bar systems were terrible at best because they were never strong enough nor were they properly engineered for the task. We’ve often made…
Typical Errors and Misconceptions We All Make – And How to Avoid Them Written by Jim Smart March 9, 2016 OK, admit it. You’re tempted to cruise past this article, yet you can’t resist the desire to read it to see if you’ve made at least one of these mistakes building a classic muscle car.…
Jim Smart May 31, 2016 Modern Driveline was on top of the five-speed conversion game before anyone else with complete five-speed conversion kits and great technical support. These days, the Modern Driveline discussion moves quickly to five- and six-speed conversions for all Mustang generations and a host of other popular marques like Chevy Camaro, Corvette,…
Jim Smart May 31, 2016 When Ford introduced the all-new 1979 Mustang in the fall of 1978, few of us believed it would ever be collectible. At the time classic 1965-1973 Mustangs were coming into their own as hot collector cars and they got all the attention. Late model Fox-body Mustangs weren’t even considered Mustangs…
Mustang Monthly by Rob Kinnan Heidt’s Hot Rod & Muscle Car Parts updated this 1967 Shelby G.T. 350 Clone with their bolt-in IRS and a modern Drivetrain. The transmission is a Tremec T-56 six-speed provided by Bruce Couture of Modern Driveline. “Bruce supplied the trans and everything from the flywheel to the input shaft,” Leyshon…
Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords by Jim Smart Pedal Play: Modern Driveline Makes It Fast & Easy to Get Precision Low-Pedal Resistance Clutch Performance Jim Smart November 1, 2016 Fox-Body Mustangs haven’t been this popular since the 1990s. Sales of these lightweight, good-looking 1979-1993 Stangs haven’t been this brisk in ages. They’re plentiful and cheap,…
Vette by Jim Smart Modern Driveline shows how to achieve spot-on clutch, bellhousing and transmission alignment for reduced wear and tear and increased performance. As Published in the February 2017 issue of Vette Bruce Couture of Modern Driveline (MDL) is quite familiar with five- and six-speed swaps for vintage Vettes because he’s been in this specialized industry…
by Jim Smart Thanks to MODERN DRIVELINE (MDL), a TKO 5-speed upgrade for your 1955-’57 Chevy is just a weekend away. MDL enables you to move quickly on this conversion in a weekend because everything is available in one spot. We found the installation to be straightforward, void of unexpected obstacles and delays. No special modifications…
LF Series Hydraulic Clutch Master Light Pedal Feel Included remote reservoir Works with internal and external slaves Uses stock clutch rod hole (where possible) for ease of installation. Current Solutions: 1960-65 Ford Falcon 1965-66 Ford Mustang 1967-70 Ford Mustang/Mercury Cougar 1962-65 Ford Fairlane 1966-70 Fairlane, Falcon/Comet 1968-71 Torino 1970-79 Maverick 1975-81 Granada 1961-66 F-100 Pickup…
LF Series External Hydraulic Clutch Slave Uses cable style lever and bearing Integrated bleed Simple installation Simple and reliable Compatible with T5/TKO Aluminum Bell and Quicktime steel bell Alternative to Mechanical linkage The LF Series Hydraulic Clutch Slave is designed as a alternative to mechanical linkage or a replacement for the cabled clutch system. Using…
The Muscle-Z-Bar is the answer to poor performance from your mechanical linkage. Spherical rod ends, heim joints, and fully adjustable linkage rods remove the binding points which plaque mechanical linkages. As Jim Smart says in Mustang Monthly: “The vintage Mustang’s stock clutch linkage isn’t a bad design. In fact, it isn’t much different than most from the…
TREMEC offers several different models of five speed transmissions**, and introduced a new lineup in 2004. Here is a bit of the history of the TKO line. The manual transmission line of Borg Warner is now owned (since 1998) by Transmission Technologies Corporation (TTC), however, the design remains unchanged between the two transmission lines. Borg Warner transmissions, for…
Are you plagued with shifting issues in your 2005-up Mustang, including the 2011 and 2012 Mustang’s? Have you beefed up the motor with power adders, pushing beyond the limits of the TR3650 (2005-2010) or Getrag MT-82 (2011-2012)? Is the 2-piece driveshaft causing vibration issues at high speeds? The TREMEC®…
Introduced in the spring of 2009, the TREMEC T-56 Magnum 6-speed manual transmission, was the long awaited and highly anticipated replacement for the original T-56. Based heavily on the TR-6060, the all-new Magnum took the best of TREMEC’s current OEM design and manufacturing technologies and combined them with the most popular features of their intensely popular TKO 5-speed. The…
Early (mid-1960’s and earlier) cars and street rods with their engines and drivetrain sitting back further than today’s cars benefit greatly when the shifter is positioned forward from the standard position offered by the T5 overdrive transmission. For years, car enthusiasts have either lived with the placement of the shifter and modified tunnels,…
Put a “better” overdrive transmission behind your Ford Flathead. JUST RELEASED – Flathead overdrive begins with the adapter. The MDL Flathead bell adapter, made as a direct fit for the 59 series blocks, while also mating to the intermediate ring on the 8 series flatheads, allows you to install a “better” transmission…
Modern Driveline’s LF Series Hydraulic Clutch Kits for classic cars make light work of a heavy pedal by letting fluid do the hard work mechanical Z-bar clutch systems have been doing for generations. Modern Driveline has taken the hydraulic clutch concept and made it an even better system by making it easier…
Total TKO! Modern Driveline’s “Low-Profile” TKO Five-Speed Conversion for 1967-1973 Mustangs is a technical knockout Jim Smart May 31, 2016 Modern Driveline was on top of the five-speed conversion game before anyone else with complete five-speed conversion kits and great technical support. These days, the Modern Driveline discussion moves quickly to five- and six-speed conversions…
The next evolution in the Fox bodied cars is replacing the cabled clutch system with hydraulic actuation. The cable system was a big improvement over the mechanical linkage of 70’s and earlier vehicles. Now for another stepped improvement in smoothness and reliability we offer a hydraulic master designed specifically for the Fox bodied cars of…
Modern Driveline’s Hydraulics were featured as part of Stacy David’s Parts Bin on Episode 14 of Season 4 of Gearz TV. The segment is @ 19:22… about 3 minutes into this segment..
Brian Fuller and Kevin Byrd will be installing a new Ford Boss push rod engine into a 1967 Mustang Coupe being setup to run vintage races with the SVRA (Sportscar Vintage Racing Association). Besides the engine choice, suspension enhancements, tires and wheels, and other parts needed to make it SVRA legal, the car will be…
LF Series Internal Hydraulic Release Bearing Tilton quality Integrated bleed Simple installation Reliable and long lasting Transmissions supported: T5, TKO, T56, Toploader Ford and GM platforms supported In addition to the external slave choices, we also offer a new internal throw-out bearing. Using hydraulic technology from Tilton Engineering (Tilton 6000 Series), these new bearings are…
This 1968 Shelby GT500 Eleanor was sold at Barrett Jackson Car Auction in Scottsdale, AZ on January 18, 2013. The owner/builder of the car wanted perfection. The list of work he wanted done to the car was extensive. The Detail Boss, who did the phenomenal beautification of this car had this to say, ” We…
Swapping a five speed transmission into an early Mustang, Falcon, Cougar, or almost any early Ford could not be any easier these days. Many of the five speed transmissions found in late model Mustangs can be installed with little modification. Click Here to Shop T5 Additional information: History of the T5 More information on T5’s…
Designed to be a replacement of the earlier model TR-3550 and TKO, the TKO-500 and TKO-600 has been significantly upgraded, making it more robust, flexible and versatile. The TKO is ideal for high torque motors for the both the street and performance racing applications. Several aftermarket upgrades are available such as carbon fiber synchro rings,…
The improvement is in the Beef The kingpin of TREMEC’s high performance line-up, the all-new T-56 Magnum 6-speed transmission takes the very best from current OEM technologies and pairs it with the most popular features of the all-business TKO 5-speed. Able to withstand a massive 700 lb-ft. of torque while providing unbelievably crisp shifts, no other manual transmission on…
This is the second part of this two part series of the T56 Magnum install Plans for the build include a GM LSA Supercharged 6.2 liter V8 backed by a T-56 Magnum transmission from Modern Driveline. T56 Magnum Install In these two installments of the “Lou’s Change” 1969 Camaro build, the V8 Speed and Resto shop crew…
In this two part video series the V8TV crew rebuilds a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro from a stock-type restoration into a Zl-1 inspired fire-breathing supercharged Pro-Touring machine. Plans for the build include a GM LSA Supercharged 6.2 liter V8 backed by a T-56 Magnum transmission from Modern Driveline. The car will roll on Detroit Speed &…
Season 5: Episode 11 It seems that the manual transmission is becoming a thing of the past. Even some of the newest European supercars are not available with anything other than paddle-shifted gearboxes. However, for those enthusiasts that can’t imagine living without an H-gate, the original pony car still comes with a five on the…
Our customer Colin Sebern had is ’64 Fairlane featured on /BIG MUSCLE episode of /DRIVE.
An often overlooked item when installing a T56 Magnum is the Reverse Lockout Module. Because of the location of reverse (next to 5th), it would be too easy to accidently hit reverse during a 4-5 up-shift. Not a good thing. To remedy this, Tremec built in a Reverse Lockout solenoid. In the off (de-energised) position…
Overdrive transmissions provide many benefits to longevity and fuel consumption, and they are more fun to shift than automatics. The V8 Speed & Resto Shop crew installs a Tremec TKO-600 from Modern Driveline complete with a hydraulic throwout bearing assembly for easy action and a MDL clutch for positive grab behind the big block Chevy…
Modern Driveline lives up to its name with Modern Solutions for Classics Power Automedia Power Automedia stopped by the booth at the 2018 SEMA show to interview Bruce Couture, owner of Modern Driveline. A five and six speed conversion company that has been around for 20 years provides tailored transmission solutions to fit the vehicle…
It’s time to put all the confusion, myths, taboo and battles of the Ford 6 cylinder bell housings, flywheels and clutches to bed once and for all. For years people have wondered what they have, what do I need, where can I get it, how come… (fill in the blank). If you have one of…
Need help determining which Ford In-line 6 you have? This article takes away the guess-work when it comes to getting the right components for the flywheel, clutch and starter by showing you the back of the block and what to look for. Ford In-Line 6 This article works with our “6 Cylinder Bell…
Ford Racing High Torque Mini-Starter Which starter to use is a common question and a common source of frustration for people doing a T5 or TKO conversion behind a Ford Small Block. The problem stems from the mis-information in the literature and from the starter manufacturers themselves. It was, and still is, very…
Designed for iOS and Android smartphones, this app will help you plan your project. The TREMEC Toolbox App for iOS and Android smartphones will help you simplify driveline setup, predict the effects of changing gear ratios and tire size, and calculate vehicle speed and RPM variables. TREMEC Toolbox Newly updated to version…
Swapping a T5 overdrive manual transmission into an early Mustang or Falcon (or their Mercury cousins) has never been more popular. We first did this swap in our ’67 Mustang several years ago, but since then countless others have also made the conversion to the modern day five speed for the sake of better fuel economy and…
By Chirag Asaravala. Assembly performed by Bruce Couture, Modern Driveline. For small block Ford enthusiasts the T5 manual transmission may be the greatest thing since sliced bread. With five fully synchronized forward gears, overdrive, an internal shift-rail mechanism and the ability to handle over 300 lb-ft of torque, the T5 is easily the number one…
Modern Driveline Offers An Easy Solution For Clutch Engagement Woes Jim Smart November 1, 2008 It has been at least 30 years, but I will never forget my old Wimbledon White ’68 Mustang fastback, a Detroit car with significant amounts of floorpan and torque box rust-and this was in 1977. I had just installed a…
Let Modern Driveline Put Overdrive in Your Classic Mustang Wayne Cook June 1, 2008 On the other hand, if you believe your Mustang was born to run on the open roads, then the addition of Overdrive will convert your classic Ford from a freeway buzz bomb into a quiet, smooth vehicle that can accomplish a…
Modern Driveline is an excellent resource for five-speed manual transmission conversions for classic Mustangs Miles Cook October 20, 2011 If the vintage Mustang you’re driving still has its original transmission, then your freeway performance is not anything like an ’83 or newer Fox, SN-95, or S197—all of which have an overdrive gear ratio for Fourth,…
When the car is equipped with a 3 or 4 speed manual transmission, the job is a lot easier than converting from an automatic. There are two ways to install a T-5 transmission for a stick equipped car. Use the original bell One way is to use the original bell housing and install an adapter…
Swapping a five speed transmission into an early Mustang, Falcon, Cougar, or almost any early Ford could not be any easier these days. Many of the five speed transmissions found in late model Mustangs can be installed with little modification. 1965 – 66 Mustang For a 1965 – 1966 Mustang we recommend a T-5 transmission…
Installing a TREMEC T-5 in place of an automatic, behind a small block Ford is relatively straight forward. Using many of the same components and concepts as used in Fox body Mustangs in the ’80’s and ’90’s simplifies the process. Bell housing Start by using a TREMEC T-5 bell housing assembly from an 1984-93 mustang…
Our TREMEC TKO small block conversions are much like the T5 swap. We start with a cable operated 1995 351w Mustang Cobra R model bellhousing. This same bell housing or scatter shield can be used behind any six bolt 289/302/351 block. The Modern Driveline clutch cable kit or hydraulic kit allows the stock early Mustang,…
When it comes to big blocks a T5 will not hold up very well unless you use a T5z, and are not making more than 450hp. In most cases however, it is cheaper to run a TREMEC TKO transmission. When converting from an automatic to a five speed there are a couple of ways to…
Installing a five speed transmission into a classic muscle car could not be any easier these days. Not only is it easy but there are numerous choices to be had. Transmission Choices Many of the five speed transmissions found in late model Fords (late model being those produced in the past 35 years) can be…
It’s time to put all the confusion, myths, taboo and battles of the Ford 6 cylinder bell housings, flywheels and clutches to bed once and for all. For years people have wondered what they have, what do I need, where can I get it, how come… (fill in the blank). If you have one of…
Need help determining which Ford In-line 6 you have? This article takes away the guess-work when it comes to getting the right components for the flywheel, clutch and starter by showing you the back of the block and what to look for. Ford In-Line 6 This article works with our “6 Cylinder Bell…
INTEGRATING FIFTH-GEN STYLING CUES AND TECHNOLOGY WITH A 1969 CAMARO CREATES A PRO-TOURING TRIBUTE TO THE ZL1 By Thomas A. DeMauro from the May 2014 issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines For some, a dream car isn’t one you find and buy, but one you design and build. Such is the case for Lou Steinhauser, an…
Dynotech Engineering Services’ one-piece aluminum driveshaft reduces the rotating drivetrain weight in S197 Mustangs Jim Smart September 28, 2011 When Marlon Mitchell of Fly Ford Racing called us about this innovation from Dynotech Engineering Services, we had to see it. From the factory, ’05-’10 Mustangs are fitted with a 38-pound, two-piece steel driveshaft supported in…
Our six-cylinder Mustang build ditches the C4 automatic in favor of a five-speed manual Mark Houlahan Tech Editor, Mustang Monthly January 18, 2014 For those just tuning in, we looked over the shoulder as Brian Stilwell and his father-in-law Ricky Snelgrove hopped up the 200ci inline-six in Brian’s ’65 Mustang hardtop for our October 2013…
Take Five! – Modern Driveline’s Five-Speed conversion package for ’71-’73 Mustangs can be swapped in a weekend Jim Smart July 30, 2014 Classic Mustang five-speed conversions are nothing new, but how we do them is getting better all the time. There are piecemeal conversion kits and there are user-friendly conversion kits that make getting into…
Squeeze Play: What you need to know to fit Ford’s Coyote modular V-8 into your vintage Mustang Mark Houlahan Tech Editor, Mustang Monthly July 6, 2015 Pushrod engines can be so 20th century. Ford hasn’t produced a production engine with a cam-in-block design that actuates the valves via pushrods and rocker arms since 2001…
Scrap Your Getrag! Modern Driveline introduces a fast-quick solution to your Getrag MT-82 crunch box woes with the T-56 Magnum XL Jim Smart April 22, 2015 Ford has conceived a hot Mustang fun car we could have only dreamed of 30 years ago with those decidedly lame 175-horse Mustang GTs of the early 1980s. Today,…
T-5 Explained: Modern Driveline has everything you’re going to need to freshen up a T-5, including real tech support Jim Smart June 22, 2015 One of the most popular drivetrain mods done to early Mustangs is to swap out the non-overdriven three- and four-speed transmissions with the later-model overdrive T-5 five-speed. Not only does the…
Total TKO! Modern Driveline’s “Low-Profile” TKO Five-Speed Conversion for 1967-1973 Mustangs is a technical knockout Jim Smart May 31, 2016 Modern Driveline was on top of the five-speed conversion game before anyone else with complete five-speed conversion kits and great technical support. These days, the Modern Driveline discussion moves quickly to five- and six-speed conversions…
Why settle for a heavy pedal when you can install Modern Driveline’s LF Series in a weekend? Text & photography by Jim Smart LF Series External Slave If you like driving your classic Mustang for those great feelings of nostalgia but dread the energy it takes to shift gears, you’re going to want…
Stealthy Overdrive From MDL No One Knows It’s There But You Modern Driveline’s new TREMEC TKO600 five-speed overdrive transmission, is engineered to fit your Sunbeam Tiger without cutting or modifying the tunnel. You get durability surpassing Ford’s legendary Top Loader four-speed with vastly improved fuel consumption. You get brute performance in gears one through four…
Upgrading To A Five-Speed Means Greater Car Control, Better Fuel Economy, And An Ear-To-Ear Grin Mark Houlahan Tech Editor, Mustang Monthly October 26, 2010 Photos By: Cars, Inc. It seems like every few years, the OEMs are able to tack on another gear to the latest transmission offerings. For the longest time, an overdrive automatic meant…
Cool solutions for your greatest resto challenges Jim Smart January 11, 2014 We’ve been restoring older Mustangs for the better part of 35 years now and it seems we can’t get enough of it. We’re always looking for fresh ideas and easier ways to accomplish what we’ve been doing for close to four decades. At…
Season 5: Episode 11 It seems that the manual transmission is becoming a thing of the past. Even some of the newest European supercars are not available with anything other than paddle-shifted gearboxes. However, for those enthusiasts that can’t imagine living without an H-gate, the original pony car still comes with a five on the…
Modern Driveline’s T-56 Magnum XL six-speed enables you to step up to better gearing and smoother shifts with fierce reliability. If you’re driving a 2011-current Mustang with the 3.7L DOHC V-6, we’ll bet you’re frustrated with sloppy shifts, gear clash, disappointing acceleration, and durability issues. And despite overall world class Mustang build quality, the factory’s Getrag MT-82 six-speed…
How-To swap in a Modern Driveline T-56 Magnum XL six-speed into a 2011-up Mustang GT It is challenging for us at Modern Driveline to understand the engineering logic behind the Getrag MT-82 six-speed transmission in the 2005-current Mustang (V-6) and Mustang GT (V-8). The factory installed MT-82 employs a semi-remote shifter attached to the transmission…
Prevent Unnecessary Wear, Tear, and Power Loss with thoughtful installation Here’s something most home garage enthusiasts never think about — proper bellhousing alignment and indexing. Admit it — have you ever performed a bellhousing alignment? Very few of us have or know anything about this subject. We address this issue at Modern Driveline because we…
It’s a gorgeous summer day in suburban Boise, Idaho where we’re installing a TREMEC T5 five-speed transmission in the “Rebuilding Generations” ’71 Mustang convertible along with a Modern Driveline cable clutch upgrade for smooth clutching and shifting. The TREMEC T5 from Modern Driveline, which has been in continuous production since the early 1980s, maintains its…
Enjoy reduced clutch pedal effort with A Modern Driveline Cable Clutch Conversion Kit Ford’s factory equalizer bar clutch release system was never a good idea because it simply wasn’t strong enough or mechanically engineered to function with ease and smoothness, especially over time. This is why Ford ultimately went to cable clutch release systems in…
With an explanation of clutch technology, Modern Driveline shows you how to choose the right clutch for your driving style and usage. Although clutch and flywheel selection seems like black magic science, it really is straightforward. When the right choices are made you get an unbeatable clutch and flywheel combo that will serve you well…
The next evolution in the Fox bodied cars is replacing the cabled clutch system with hydraulic actuation. The cable system was a big improvement over the mechanical linkage of 70’s and earlier vehicles. Now for another stepped improvement in smoothness and reliability we offer a hydraulic master designed specifically for the Fox bodied cars of…
In addition to the external slave choices, we also offer a new internal throw-out bearing. Using hydraulic technology from Tilton Engineering (Tilton 6000 Series), these new bearings are easy to install (slip over the bearing retainer of the transmission), and are built to last. The LF Series Internal Hydraulic Release Bearing is designed as a…
Overdrive transmissions provide many benefits to longevity and fuel consumption, and they are more fun to shift than automatics. The V8 Speed & Resto Shop crew installs a Tremec TKO-600 from Modern Driveline complete with a hydraulic throwout bearing assembly for easy action and a MDL clutch for positive grab behind the big block Chevy…
The June 2008 edition of Mustang and Fords features a 6 page article detailing Modern Driveline’s T5 conversion of a ’67 Mustang.
Author and photographer Wayne Cook details the parts and the process to convert a classic Mustang from a 4-speed to a 5-speed overdrive transmission. As Wayne writes “On the other hand, if you believe your Mustang was born to run on the open roads, then the addition of Overdrive will convert your classic Ford from a freeway buzz bomb into a quiet, smooth vehicle that can accomplish a 500-mile day with ease”
